MOONS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION ON THE MOON AT THE MUSÉE DE LA CIVILISATION Lunar rock - 1972 On loan from NASA / Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston, United States Photo: Jacques Lessard Since many moons now, men and women from different horizons have been observing the moon, trying to uncover its mysteries. It is this very same moon, both fascinating and mysterious, that Lunes (Moons), showing at Québec's Musée de la civilisation from April 28, 1999 to April 2, 2000, will investigate under its various aspects. Produced in collaboration with the Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle of Lyon, it is sponsored by Wrebbit with the promotional support of Télé-Québec. Beyond the grasp of human understanding, the moon has forever been the object of a great number of studies, of experiments, of interpretations, of beliefs and of representations. This exhibition leads us through the evolution of man's discoveries with regard to the moon, from the very first observations up to its physical exploration. It also looks into the presentation and explanation of various beliefs related to the moon. The exhibition is structured under the different perspectives of scientific discoveries and human beliefs, while leaving a large place to the imaginary and the unusual. Washington Observatory, circa 1880 Musée de la civilisation, bibliothèque du Séminaire de Québec, fonds ancien. Photo: Jacques Lessard Objects, photographs and videos More than 250 artefacts, some of scientific nature (observation instruments, maps, armillary spheres, atlases, a moon rock or regolith), some of representative or cultural nature (statuettes, masks, votive reliefs, steles, divinatory instruments), as well as popular and sometimes...unusual memorial objects, back up the exhibition theme. Photographs, ancient books, drawings and illustrations, a great number of literary extracts, excerpts from documentary and fiction films, a few works of art, as well as some interactive elements, complete the presentation. Lunar capsule and Moonnaut's suit On loan from Filmline Talisman/Crest, Montreal Photo: Jacques Lessard A tour of the Moon in four movements Four different areas represent the lunar universe. In each exhibition zone, various characters are introduced by ways of video presentations, inspired by literary works, and produced by Yves Doyon and Éric Gagnon. In a first movement, by way of introduction, the moon itself, inspired by a story from Fadette, welcomes visitors. Further on, a young boy (from Les enfants du bonhomme dans la lune by Roch Carrier) introduces the area dedicated to the observation of the moon and to the evolution of selenography. Then, Cyrano de Bergerac (from L'autre monde ou les estats et empires de la lune) leads the visitor towards La lune convoitée (The coveted moon), a presentation on real or imaginary journeys to the moon... Finally, Wolf Denis (from Le loup-garou suivi de 12 autres nouvelles by Boris Vian) introduces La lune cyclique (The cyclic moon) area that deals with the real or imaginary influence of the moon on the environment, on meteorology, on the flora, the fauna and the...humans. Here also, the phases of the moon are analysed. In the very heart of the large circle that forms the exhibition setting, sits a sample of regolith (moon rock) surrounded by divinities. In the background, on a giant screen, Neil Armstrong walking on the surface of the moon, on July 20, 1969: "A small step for man, a giant step for humanity". Space suit from the Commander Neil A. Armstrong Global Effects, North Hollywood, California, United States Photo: Jacques Lessard The known. Ptolemy, Galileo, Newton, Langrenus, Hevelius, Riccioli, Schröter, Mädler, Beer, Lohrmann, Armstrong, Collins, Aldrin...have all contributed, each in their way, to a better knowledge of the moon. Following the first pioneer works (the Babylonian astronomers, the Greek thinkers...) it is Galileo, who first moved on from the observation of the moon to its scientific study. Thanks to him, the moon is no longer a perfect and stationary sphere, it has become a piece of the universe. Many astronomers have taken part in the development of selenography, from the beginning of astronomy, with the first telescope (developed by Galileo) up to the latest and most sophisticated telescopes and photographs. Then, in July 1969, American Neil Armstrong walks on the moon, giving rise to great euphoria while bringing about a major change to the established order. More or less neglected since the end of the Apollo missions, the moon nevertheless stirs up the fascination of astronomers and scientists, and fuels a large variety of ambitious research projects. ...and the unknown All our physical environment is influenced by the moon, tides being the most visible example of this influence. To different degrees according to cultural variations, man has also attributed exceptional powers to the moon. It is believed to have a major influence in the worlds of plants, of animals and of humans. From time immemorial, the moon, and other stars as well, have provided a link between the natural and the supernatural. The moon, due to the regularity of the lunar cycle, to its alternation between shadow and light, and to its perpetual rebirth, is associated with fluidity, fertility, fecundity and with the feminine universe, but also with darkness, with witchcraft, and with the subterranean and supernatural worlds. A "full moon" presentation Just like the moon itself, the design of the exhibition is spherical, open, radiant and mysterious. The museum has created an atmosphere that evokes the fever of a night of full moon, and that favours a profusion of elements, where the strange and the unusual join in with the rigours of science. A visit to Moons at Québec's Musée de la civilisation will alter your perception of the moon for ever. You will be seeing it under a new light! This exhibition will be showing until April 2, 2000. Produced in collaboration with the Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle of Lyon, it is sponsored by Wrebbit with the promotional support of Télé-Québec. Serge Poulin Issued : April 27, 1999 © Musée de la civilisation